US reclassifies certain marijuana products under new federal guidelines

US Department of Justice Announces Reclassification of Medical Marijuana

The US Department of Justice has clarified that it will reclassify state-licensed medical marijuana as a less dangerous substance under federal law. The change, which does not legalize recreational or medical marijuana under federal law, moves certain marijuana products from the Schedule I category to the less restrictive Schedule III on the federal government’s five-tier system for regulating drugs.

According to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, the rescheduling action will allow for research on the safety and efficacy of marijuana, ultimately providing patients with better care and doctors with more reliable information. The move is part of a growing trend away from penalizing possession of marijuana.

The US has seen a gradual shift in its approach to marijuana over recent years. In December 2023, President Donald Trump issued an executive order calling on the Justice Department to loosen marijuana restrictions. His predecessor Joe Biden had also taken steps to reclassify marijuana, although the process was not finalized by the time he left office.

Marijuana is currently legal in some form in 40 US states, and a recent survey found that 57 percent of US adults believe it should be legalized for both recreational and medical purposes. The market for cannabis products has also grown significantly, with companies predicting $47 billion in sales in 2026.

Source: Al Jazeera